Today we're sharing a taxi into Beijing with Dennis. We are excited to be going to the Forbidden City but as Dennis has been there before, he's headed for the Museum of Chinese History. These sites are both situated in Tiananmen Square.
However, as taxis are not allowed to stop in the Square, the driver dropped us off in a side street. It was interesting to see the diversity of homes and shops just a matter of metres from the great palace wall!
Chinese lions are friendly fellows (don't be put off by their expression!) and protective (on second thoughts, maybe that expression is to frighten off shop lifters?)
It's a hot day and Anne is negotiating cool drinks. Everywhere there is a variety of great food - served with a smile.
On the opposite side of the street were houses and this private garage.
This unobtrusive doorway revealed an alley way of homes...............
Signs on the outside of a public toilet. I was particularly alarmed at the need for a defence mask and safety belt - I didn't have one! And what about navigating the "Daop Down", not to mention the "Ovntilating". Rather than take the risk, we gave it a miss!
Then, quite unexpectedly, we came across this tranquil green park with a canal.
Here we are at the end of the street about to turn right into Tiananmen Square. As bikes are not allowed in the Square, they're all parked here.
The traffic is turning into a busy, six lane road at the top of the Square. Dennis needs to make his way to the museum on the other side and has to go through full Security and a subway under the road to get there.
Anne and I have to go through two full security checks -the first to enter the Square precinct and the second to get into the Forbidden City.
No comments:
Post a Comment